Bite Cafe
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1035 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60622 b/t Cortez St & Thomas St
West Town, Ukrainian Village - Get Directions
- Phone number (773) 395-2483
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Business website bitecafechicago.com
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“Add on the fact that it is BYOB and you've got delicious food at a phenomenal price point.” in 149 reviews
BYOB: Yes
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“One of my favorite things about this joint is it's located right next to the Empty Bottle.” in 102 reviews
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“My favorites are: Egg Duncan, Pork Hash and they used to have the Chorizo Hash too.” in 61 reviews
Recommended Reviews
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- Pam D.
- Highland Park, IL
- 1 friend
- 72 reviews
6/26/2015
If you drive too fast on Western Ave, one can easily drive past this small but delectable cafe. It is located on the east side of Western in a very bland, boring building. If Bite Cafe would put some flower pots at their front door, drive bys would notice this restaurant and stop and enjoy their freshly made Breakfast & Dinner items.
We arrived at Bite Cafe around lunch hour and were promptly seated. The restaurant offers a contemporary spin on favorite breakfast/brunch entrees. Today I wanted to try comfort food so, I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato fennel soup. Yeah, the sandwich arrived with it's crusts cut off, which is how I like my grilled cheese! The sandwich was a little too crispy and could've used another slice of cheese. The tomato soup was thick and tasty. I would've liked some parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
My companions ordered the Pimento Cheese Eggs Benedict served with Arugula and something we've never heard of before: the mashbrown. It was an inch thick circle of fried potatoes and spices, very tasty, could've eaten another one.
My other companion ordered the Pork Belly, Egg and Cheese Biscuit. The pork belly was fried nicely, not too fatty and his egg was cooked thru, not runny.
The ambience of the cafe is simple: wood tables anchored by turquoise metal chairs offset by a floor to ceiling brick wall.
The only downside, the bathroom is located in the kitchen, which is awkward and very small. -
7/3/2015
1 check-inSo, understandably they won't seat an incomplete party, and it's a good thing because the girls were quite late! I love the modern/rustic decor and the huge paned window. I also love that it's a BYOB and you can walk next door to the Empty Bottle and grab something to drink. Although there was a large Friday night crowd, service was good and the staff was really friendly. My meat-eating friends had catfish and udon noodles, and the slow-cooked beef short rib. They both loved what they had and I'll have to take their word for it. I had a couple of tofu tacos. They were ok. The tofu wasn't very flavorful. Although tofu is bland by nature, it can take on any flavor that's thrown its way. I just didn't pick up on much flavor. There was guacamole on the taco but it was seriously the size of a chocolate chip, so I can't really tell if it was good or not. There just wasn't enough there. So the girls decided to get dessert and I was sad that there wasn't a vegan dessert on the menu. The nice server told me they had an off-menu dairy-free lime sherbet so I gave it a go. It came with a crumble of crunchy sweet granola which was delicious with the cool, tart sorbet.
Although I wasn't blown away with my tacos, I'd love to come back here and give it another go. There were enough things really right about this place to merit another visit. -
6/6/2015
Can't believe it took me three years to review this place after countless trips and living mere blocks away! Bite is one of the original joints on the new Western Ave. Ukrainian Village revitalization, and it's also one of the strongest.
A great option for brunch or dinner - as long as you are able to amply be seated. It is much easier to get seated for dinner (no reservations! heed warning!) Very often I find there to already be a wait; sometimes up to 45 minutes. BYOB is a huge plus, as I've made my own mimosas for brunch and enjoyed beer and wine for dinner. For brunch, both their savory and sweet dishes are absolutely delectable. My recommendations: french toast or any of their hash/scramble selections featuring a plethora of appetizing ingredients that you won't find being used so innovatively in most neighborhood brunch establishments. For dinner, the burger, grilled cheese, and short rib are all great bets.
The only problem with Bite is that they sometimes "bite" (see what I did there...) off more than they can chew. Their more eclectic offerings, such as pasta, Indian, or Mexican dishes, often fall a bit flat and don't match up to ethnic cuisine restaurants. Although I suppose it's my own fault for being an adventurous eater. Stick to the American comfort food and you'll be amazed. -
8/8/2015
Bite is such a great brunch spot! Be sure to get here early on the weekends because this little place sure does get busy. Luckily you can grab a cocktail while you wait in the bar next door. I love to grab a seat by the window! We start off with some coffee and a biscuit with jam. I love places that make their own biscuits and jam as a starter because it makes you feel right at home. Some suggestions for dishes would be the eggs Benedict and really any hash they have, but I'd go with the pork hash if they have it. They are also open for dinner and I've gotten a decent burger from there. However, breakfast is definitely the forte here!
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- Kelly A.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 12 reviews
8/9/2015
Great place for brunch! Small place, so expect to wait 20-30 minutes. BYOB, but connected to the empty bottle if you want to pop over before or after for a drink. Pork hash was fantastic. Breakfast poutine was also delicious. Dark Matter coffee is the house coffee. Would definitely recommend for brunch, and we'll be coming back to try dinner.
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4/27/2015
1 check-inThis is such a cute restaurant with very reasonable prices. It's quaint and charming. We ordered the escargot pasta and the beef cheeks. I would skip the latter since the flavors are so familiar but the pasta had great flavor. We also got the Belgian waffle with goat cheese ice cream. For $6, now THAT was worth it. It was really crunchy (probably deep fried) but the ice cream was delicious. Probably the best goat cheese ice cream I've had in a while.
I also just enjoy the vibe of this play. It's charming and laid back and there's a lot of space for diners. Would come back again!-
Tell me that's not beautiful. Escargot pasta. So good.Tell me that's not beautiful. Escargot pasta. So good.
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3/2/2015
1 check-inI saw this place featured on Chicago's Best and the food looked delicious. We went around noon on a Sunday and were told it would be a half hour wait. The restaurant is quite small so they have you wait next door...it's not the fancy of places, but at least you're not stuck waiting outside. We were seated in exactly half hour from the time we put our names down.
Our waitress was pleasant and my friend and I decided to go the lunch route. I got the veggie burger and my friend got the turkey arugula sandwich. Both of us were disappointed. Maybe it had something to do with the wait versus what the food tasted like. My veggie burger was bland. I was sort of hoping the red sauce on it would be spicy, but it really didn't have a taste. The fries were also quite boring and not seasoned well. I still have high hopes for this place though because after I ordered I sort of knew I should have went the breakfast route. If I do go back I will definitely try the French toast! -
2/22/2015
1 check-inGoing for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings in Chicago can be rather discouraging. Many breakfast spots have long lines outside and crowded waiting areas inside. So, you end up preparing your own breakfast at home. And then you stumble upon Bite Cafe.
It could be that I got there as soon as they opened for business because the restaurant did start to fill up later, but not such that patrons had to wait outside for a seat. This was a huge plus.
I had the challah bread French toast, mashedbrown, and eggs scrambled well with gruyere cheese. The French toast was so blooming good that it didn't require any more syrup than the maple syrup drizzle that came on it. The hazelnut butter and banana anglaise gave flavour without making the toast excessively sweet. The mashedbrown was a potato cake that I'd buy in bulk and eat in the mornings for a breakfast snack. And since I was able to get gruyere in my eggs rather than American, jack, or cheddar cheese, I was in love.
So, it seems that Bite Cafe also has lunch and dinner menus. I shall have to return to check out those offerings. The breakfast set was definitely good enough to have me return in the mornings, for sure. -
- Stephen M.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 2 reviews
8/11/2015
This is our first visit and we really enjoyed our brunch.The pork and collard green omelette was original and delicious! Our waitress mistakenly ordered an additional and returned it without any issues. Customer service was awesome! We will return with friends.
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5/6/2015
Now I rarely come to the Ukrainian village, but I did want to check out the Do Division fest. K recommended Bite and so we went over. The place is smaller than the pics they have up, but its very cute and lively inside. They seat you once your whole party gets there and cos of lack of space, you usually have to eat at the bar or stand outside. They have a number of smaller tables, so really big groups would be hard to accommodate. One of our friends showed up unexpectedly and we squeezed her in on our 2 person table, to be informed that we were making the other guests uncomfortable. Not really cool- the waitress didn't offer us another table or anything.
On to the food- now this is the reason to come here. We tried the bi bim bap, the biscuits and spinach, the asparagus omelette and the strawberry bread. I LOVED the first dish, the bulgar was so well made and flavorful, will definitely get this and the strawberry bread again. The omelette and spinach biscuits was ok- well made but ok. The omelette comes with a hash brown patty which is a true melody of textures- I hope to get it on the side without the omelette. I will come back to try the other dishes for sure. -
- Stephanie H.
- Chicago, IL
- 196 friends
- 404 reviews
- Elite ’15
4/27/2015
7 check-insBite is great. I've been several times, I'm a big fan of their brunch. I'm warning you now, there's a wait. I usually come during the week to avoid the crowds. It's small, quaint, and quirky. The service has always been good.
I'm a big fan of their eggs, the hangover fry is my favorite so far. There's usually something different to try, in addition to a few staples. The menu isn't very big for those of you that are picky eaters, but I do think there's variety. Oh, and the bathroom is in the kitchen, the staff had Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits playing last time I was there.
I personally think that their brunch menu is stronger than the dinner menu, but I could eat breakfast for every meal. Good location, usually parking isn't much trouble. Definitely worth checking out! -
6/14/2015
1 check-inThis place was PACKED on a Sunday afternoon, but thankfully we were quickly seated at the bar. Our waitress, a fabulous girl with blue tipped hair whose name I can't recall, was awesomely helpful in guiding us toward food we would love. And man was she right! I had the French toast with hazelnut butter, which was a perfect blend of sweet and savory. The "mashbrown" was a fun take on a latke, although probably the most lackluster thing we tried. The pork hash was a hit with the boy, although it wasn't my thing. Great food at reasonable prices - no complaints here!
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- Sylvia C.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 9 reviews
5/10/2015
1 check-inAbsolutely amazing food. I have been here a couple of times now and I have never left disappointed.
The menu changes often. Every time I come in I am delighted to see very creative and unique menu options.
The pork hash is absolutely amazing and a regular item on the menu. I had the Pomento Cheese Eggs Benedict this morning and it was delicious. The smells from the kitchen alone are a reason to visit this place. The ingredients are always fresh and nothing is ever stale. Good coffee and amazing food. What else can you ask for?! The server was also kind and very attentive. 5 stars from me and I will be back! -
- Steph C.
- Chicago, IL
- 8 friends
- 24 reviews
7/27/2015
We decided to try Bite based on the Yelp reviews and were not disappointed. We went for Sunday brunch and ended up sitting at the bar next door, so we didn't have to wait. The service was good and so was the atmosphere. It took a while to get our food and when it came, was a little on the lukewarm side of things. I'm not sure if this was a result of where we were sitting or what, but it's worth mentioning. My Bi Bim Bop was super flavorful and light, exactly what what I was looking for. My husband's breakfast poutine was also very tasty, but he was a bit disappointed that his poached egg arrived hard boiled. I'm excited to try Bite again and I'd love to see what they have in store on the dinner menu!
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9/24/2014
1 check-inListed in Chicago CravingsYou don't spy breakfast poutine on too many menus here in the good ole USofA. And if I had more space in my midsection I would definitely have sampled said dish at Bite Cafe. But nevertheless I ordered the migas and thoroughly enjoyed my bfast at the adorable Bite Cafe.
First of all, the location is pretty choice, as there's a good amount of free or metered street parking within a stone's throw of the cafe. While it's small in size, Bite Cafe's menu is big on flavor. After some perusal I settled on the aforementioned migas - fried tortilla scramble, yukons, pico de gallo, salsa verde, and pepperjack. It was warm cozy, super filling, and delicious. Hat tip to our friendly server who recommended it as I was waffling through options!
Next time I'm in the area and craving a substantial, creative bfast, Bite Cafe is near the top of my list! -
- Ashley R.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 7 reviews
6/25/2015
Idk why I haven't been back sooner! Went here to grab my favorite tofu tacos- which were amazing as usual- I also grabbed a side of the seasonal vegetables And so happy i made that choice. I usually go for the fries, but so glad I chose the veggies today! They were so delicious can't wait to come here again and love
That they have a veggie & vegan friendly menu! Thanks bite ! -
- Kristin R.
- Palm Springs, CA
- 18 friends
- 22 reviews
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- Taylor R.
- Plano, TX
- 4 friends
- 77 reviews
4/28/2015
I had some great food while in Chicago, but this was by far the best!
We had the escargot pasta and the beef cheeks/scallops. Both were great, especially the escargot pasta. For dessert, we ordered the Belgian waffle with the goat cheese ice cream, which was probably one of the best desserts I've ever had--I'm so glad I split it with my friend, because it was really rich.
I loved the intimate vibe of the place. Such a great dinner experience! -
- Claudia D.
- Chicago, IL
- 197 friends
- 412 reviews
- Elite ’15
11/30/2014 Updated review
219 check-insListed in Reliables, Brunch Favorites, BYOB FavoritesThe husband and I truly like the staff at Bite Cafe and the ambience. The ambience is casual with local artists' work displayed that changes several times a year. The music varies with the personnel and that is cool.
We enjoy getting the breakfast and lunch menu here more than the dinners because the selection of entrees has changed so much. Everything emphasizes red meat or seems to include bacon or cream during dinner and the vegan/vegetarian options usually are heavy on pasta or other carbs, or fried, or otherwise are heavier than we prefer.
Breakfast and lunch options (available from 9am to 5pm) are lighter and more appealing to us!
The morning bread is big enough to share and a quick bread reflecting seasonal flavors! It's particularly good with the Bite Cafe Blend of Dark Matter coffee, which is only available in a full octane caffeinated version, which I love! The husband doesn't like Bite's inability to prepare his eggs in a soft un-browned version. He limits himself only to soft poached eggs if he orders them at all. He enjoys the soups, except those that feature potato or bacon; the breakfast taco, the black beans (number 3 quality version in Chicago, IMHO), the Bi Bim Bop, and is willing to try new menu items when they appear.
I enjoy the breakfast taco made with egg whites, the tofu scramble with black beans instead of the mashbrown and multigrain toast instead of sour dough, the side salad, the seasonal entree salads, and the grilled asparagus or vegetables when available.
We like the evening fish dish when it is prepared without cream or bacon. The vegetable sides are usually very good especially when dairy free.
The desserts are limited to their after 5 Pm seatings. I like the brownie and give my ice cream to the husband. He usually likes the cake if available.
All in all, I highly recommend the Bite Cafe!
Usually parking on Western is not a problem.-
Winter Salad - scrumptious menu description - appearing on daytime as well as dinner menu (01/29/2015)Winter Salad - scrumptious menu description - appearing on daytime as well as dinner menu (01/29/2015)
Time to update my review of Bite Cafe. It is our default go-to spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch,… Time to update my review of Bite Cafe. It is our default go-to spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch, late afternoon eats, or dinner. Usually parking along Western is not a problem, and it is BYOB (or if the Empty Bottle next door is open, you can purchase your choice of potion).2/16/2014 Previous review
Meat eaters, vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians all are accommodated.
Breakfast options are available with a daily special bread from 9 to 5 daily. Dinner service begins at 5. There are daily specials, including a daily soup option.
Desserts are available in the evening only and are limited to 3 options, or milkshakes made to order.
Coffee is Dark Matter and absolutely delicious!
My most recent breakfast combo is a single breakfast taco made with egg white and a side of black beans instead of the mash brown (heart friendlier my way). A vegetarian tofu scramble is offered daily.
There is always a vegetarian dinner special. The side salad, grilled vegetables, mash brown sides are delicious.
The husband enjoys his skate wing when it is on the menu.
Sausages, smoked meats are all made in house.
Very creative and perfect price point --- plus they accept all credit cards. Read moreBrennan left.1/15/2013 Previous review
Dave is doing a terrific job as executive chef with creative delicious specials and… Brennan left.
Dave is doing a terrific job as executive chef with creative delicious specials and gradually the menu is changing to reflect his recipes.
Maggie continues to do outstanding desserts.
The wait staff continues to amaze with their admirable teamwork, enviable work ethic, helpfulness, and concern for their customers.
There are always vegetarian options that are both flavorful, and healthful.
I highly recommend the Bite Cafe! Read moreI love eating dinner here! BYOB and a creative chef to provide delicious seasonal specials!8/22/2012 Previous review
The… I love eating dinner here! BYOB and a creative chef to provide delicious seasonal specials!
The servers are efficient, friendly, accommodating and very busy!
I recommend any fish special, the chicken, the pork entrees, and get the duck, if they have it! Brenden Neville, the executive chef, is a master! Maggie Laleman, the pastry chef, is equally creative and provides delicious finishers!
Try this place for dinner! It's casual, BYOB, easy street parking and a very comfortable enjoyable evening!
Breakfast, lunch, and heavy snacks are available from 9 to 5. They're good also, especially the eggs duncan. Read moreThis place has rapidly become a favorite for the husband and I. It's BYOB. It changes its specials… This place has rapidly become a favorite for the husband and I. It's BYOB. It changes its specials frequently and takes advantage of seasonal veggies and fruits. It's possible to eat vegetarian (maybe even vegan, but I'm not sure).9/24/2011 Previous review
The staff is friendly without being intrusive and gives very good service.
The kitchen and the bathroom are IMMACULATE!
The place is tiny, but if inclement weather is an issue, the Empty Bottle next door will allow waiting before 8 PM. If you wish, you can buy alcohol to consume at Bite Cafe at the Empty Bottle.
We've eaten both brunch and dinner here.
I just wish that they would offer house made sorbet more often on the dessert menu, or a fresh fruit heart-healthy dessert option. One night they had a special watermelon sorbet that was fantastic! Another night (not too busy), they were kind enough to assemble a selection of fresh fruit for me, but neither is regularly on the menu.
The husband tried the pork shank tonight. It comes with an arugula salad. He was sweet and let me have a taste of the pork - fork tender, and full of flavor.
I enjoy the roasted half chicken which is accompanied by roasted garlic cloves and sauteed rapini! It is juicy, with a crispy skin and absolutely delicious.
We've tried their salads, eggs, omelets, and vegetarian specials as well as their fish specials.
We've never been disappointed. I highly recommend this place, plus it is usually is simple to find street parking along Western either on the same side of the street or the opposite side! Read more -
- Merrisa S.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 8 reviews
6/5/2015
According to my husband Bite Cafe deserves a 4.5-5 stars from his point of view.
I only gave them 4 stars because we weren't noticed once we walked in at the door (however: they were a bit busy for having just two servers), and we actually sat ourselves in which might throw some people off if you never have been here before. (note: this wasn't my first time here).
Kudos to Exec Chef: Dave Cooper & his Sous Chef: Todd Decker. My husband and I decided to tackle items off the special menu board. For some reason I feel this is where the chef/sous chef have more freedom w/creativity in a dish. My husband had the milanesa open face sandwich special, and I had a crazy fresh, clean, lots of heat and favorable tofu scramble special.
The end results we both w/clean plates asking for more.;)
Thank you Jesy you were sweet, and attentive. -
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- Jennifer B.
- Chicago, IL
- 56 friends
- 19 reviews
12/28/2014
On a day I wanted to celebrate my birthday brunch, I went on yelp and looked for a spot around the wicker park area. And I am so excited I found this place!!
My cousins got here a few minutes before me and there was a 10 minute wait, we were given the opportunity to hang out in the back room (surprised they had this room, but is a great addition) where they had a pool table and a few vintage games.
The service was great! Really nice and attentive waitress who gave us her recommendations and helped us set up our BYOB mimosas!
I ordered the pork hash (in which 3/5 of us ordered--and all of us agreed is to die for). My cousin got the migas---kinda like a chilaquilles and she finished it! My other cousin figured to order the bi bim bap since the holiday eating has been overwhelming--she was glad she had this choice!
Overall nothing I can complain about !! -
- Cinthya Q.
- Logan Square, Chicago, IL
- 22 friends
- 50 reviews
- Elite ’15
1/10/2015
This place is good, inconsistent, but good.
The space is small but great for dates. The tables are close together so be aware that'll be close quarters. The kitchen is open to the dining room but not noisy or smokey.
The food:
We've been there three times and have tried
1) The poutin: delicious, you can choose between bacon or mushroom gravy. I like the peppers on top.
2) The mussels and fries: it's an appetizer but I had it as a dinner dish. Very good, mussels we're cooked perfectly and the wine broth was also good. The fries and grilled bread were a great addition.
3) The fish fry: we've has this dish twice and it was good the first time but too oily the second time.
4) Broccoli cheddar soup was underwhelming and under seasoned.
5) Salmon and soba noodle is my favorite dish here. The salmon is delicious.
The problem we've had here is that the experience goes down each time we go.
While it's a great place overall I think that consistency is lacking. The first time we went the food was perfect. The second time we went the fish was soggy. And the last time we went the fries we're too salty and the fish was soggy again. -
- Caroline B.
- Chicago, IL
- 2 friends
- 25 reviews
2/17/2015
I had the "magi." It was delicious. I was disappointed when I asked for a bloody mary and I wad told it was BYOB, but there's a bar next to bite cafe, which is connected to this place. .....I was confused, but it was like going from one world to another. One business is a restaurant, but if you leave that room, go into the waiting room and into the third room-bam!- you hit the bar.....
It was a lovely, unique experience! Go! You won't be disappointed! -
- M. D.
- Hoboken, NJ
- 4 friends
- 26 reviews
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- Caryn R.
- Northbrook, IL
- 26 friends
- 16 reviews
2/14/2015
1 check-inI came here with a friend for brunch on a super cold windy day and we were asked to wait outside since there isn't really a waiting area inside. By the time we were seated I couldn't feel my legs anymore. So it's not necessarily an ideal place to come in winter unless you're willing to freeze outside.
Once we were seated, it took a while for our waiter to come. When we saw that a table seated after us was already attended to, my friend ended up going to the f front to ask about our server.
In terms of the food, I ordered the pork hash and was underwhelmed by the flavor. It looked really appetizing but the pork was too salty and the rest was just bland.
I had high hopes for this place. Maybe I'll give it another go, I'm not sure. -
- Jenna I.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 9 reviews
4/12/2015
Went with a friend yesterday and was pretty disappointed. We were told it would be a 20 minute wait which was fine. We waited next door where there was a craft show going on.
When we were called we sat at the counter and were served coffee by a very cranky waitress. She dropped our coffee mugs so hard on the counter the coffee sloshed over the edges. My friend asked the waitress if she recommended the leek bread pudding, 2hich was the special, or the grilled cheese. The waitress seemed annoyed and recommended the grilled cheese since she did not know if the specials were any good.
I ordered the crispy pork belly breakfast sandwich with fries and my friend ordered the grilled cheese with tomato soup. It took 45 minutes to get our food and I was given hash browns instead of fries. We sat at the counter so we could see my friend's grilled cheese just sitting in tge pick up window 20 minutes. My guess is they messed up my sandwich but I wish they would have said something or at least fed my friend instead of having her food just sit.
Food was good but not worth the wait or the bad service. -
- Yuki Y.
- Chicago, IL
- 4 friends
- 53 reviews
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3/27/2014
1 check-inSimply put, this is no ordinary pub/cafe/restaurant. The first time I ate there, I had dinner. They have great mussels and potatoes. I can't remember what I had the first time, but it was so delicious I chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner last year.
The braised pork belly was perfectly cooked and tasty. The duck confit was delicious. What makes their entrees so great is that they prepare the dishes well, choose quality greens and starches to go along, and tie it all together with thoughtful sauce and flavor combinations. The menu is New American with different specials like risottos and braised meats.
Another time I came back for brunch and was happy I did. The Challah bread french toast was a good start and big enough to share. The pork hash was filling and so yummy. The right amount of spicy Hollandaise and tender pork shoulder paired well with the roasted and slightly sweet butternut squash. I can't wait to go back and try the other dishes.
The service has always been good and though the space is a little small, the decor and atmosphere make it feel warm and cozy. Even when it was busy for dinner, I thought the service was friendly, quick, and helpful with suggestions and answering questions about the menu. I highly recommend trying this restaurant if you are looking for a place for quality New American food executed well--oh, the prices are cheap compared to other restaurants of this class. -
5/1/2014 Updated review
3 check-insI went back to Bite this week, and although it was still good, there were a few issues that make it necessary to knock off a star.
We started with the poutine with mushroom gravy and it was fine, but not great and maybe not even good. It tasted a little healthier than a regular poutine but the flavors were nothing special.
I had the pork belly porcetta entrée and this dish completely knocked it out of the park. It was salty and fatty and delicious, definitely an A+ dish. My friends had the asparagus and cheese grits meal and the Tues night special filet mignon. I'm told both were very good.
Now, dessert was a big letdown. I had the salted fudge brownie again, and unlike last time, the salt was too heavy-handed. I had taken too many bites to send it back, but it was not good. The fried challah bread pudding was excellent though.
On the whole, this is a good restaurant and I'll be back, but not quite five-star worthy this time around.This was one of the best meals I've had this year. We had dinner tonight at Bite Café before the… This was one of the best meals I've had this year. We had dinner tonight at Bite Café before the Bulls game and everything was delicious. It turned out to be the best part of the night, as the Bulls lost in overtime, but that's getting off topic.4/22/2014 Previous review
I ordered the pan fried chicken thighs, and after the first bite I thought it was pretty good. But as I kept eating, I noticed additional seasoning and the meal tasted better with each bite. By the end, I was keeping a small piece of chicken on my plate because I just didn't want it to be over. I also had a side of cheese grits and they were good as well. My dining companion had the burger with fries and, of course, I had to have it bite. It was very well seasoned, and I can imagine it being a little too salty for some, but I enjoyed that bite.
For dessert, we shared the salted brownie with ice cream. I'm not the biggest chocolate fan but the ice cream tempered the chocolate-y taste and I really enjoyed it.
Apparently the bathroom is in or very close to the kitchen, which is weird, but that's not enough to knock off a star. I can't wait to try brunch. Read more-
Salted Fudge Brownie, Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate SauceSalted Fudge Brownie, Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Sauce
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- Elizabeth E.
- Chicago, IL
- 103 friends
- 58 reviews
- Elite ’15
10/14/2014
Went here last night for dinner and wanted to love this place but it really missed the mark. Although it's possible that we just ordered the wrong things.
1. Love that this was BYOB and that you can buy beer/wine from the bar next door. Makes it easy when you forget your own booze. Also loved the decor - super cozy & cute.
2. Had the hangover salad to start - this was a hit, likely something I'll try to recreate at home.
3. Mac and Cheese - hard for me not to order and while it was tasty it wasn't my favorite and probably not worth the cals. No breadcrumbs, or bacon - they kept it straight and to the point but still wasn't my favorite.
4. Steak Tacos on Special - both my dad & boyfriend ordered these, I didn't try them but mainly they didn't like them. They did not look great - the meat looked sub par quality and they had a weird sauce on them as well, would stay away from this.
5. Falafel sandwhich - Amazing french fries, sandwhich was heavy and nothing out of the ordinary.
Other things on the menu jumped out at me: grilled cheese & tomato soup, whitefish on special, burgers - I really think we just ordered wrong. Other things that people ordered around us looked much better than the options we selected. Would go back & maybe even for brunch! -
- Sarah S.
- Chicago, IL
- 9 friends
- 87 reviews
4/11/2015
Interesting, homey BYOB place with really good food.
I came here with a couple friends. Food is excellent, and the service is very nice. It's quite small, and you can feel a little shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors, but the noise level is fine.
It's nicely priced - you need probably one more dish than you have people, which works out to about $20-25 with tip per person. That's great for the delicious food here.
The Fried Oysters and Grits were particularly memorable. The Chili Vinegar on top gives a great kick. We also had the poutine, which was tasty, though not totally memorable. You can buy a bottle of wine next door at the Empty Bottle and carry it right back, so it's really BYOB in name only.
Loved it; will definitely go back. -
- Katherine M.
- Oak Park, IL
- 6 friends
- 34 reviews
4/14/2015
LOVED this place. If you're a fan of places like Lula, and enjoy VERY FRESH creative delicious food, check it out.
The only thing that wasn't for me was the coffee - has more of that dark roasty flavor than I'm partial to.
Cool interior, interesting menu (plus plenty of breakfast classics)
Even scored free parking to the north of the building on a weekday morning. -
9/25/2014
2 check-insI'm a fan!!! Was curious about this place based on the stellar reviews on yelp and it sure didn't disappoint. Everything we ordered was excellent. Chopped summer salad was light & refreshing & perfectly dressed. Drumsticks had crackling skin and juicy interior. Catfish stew had an interesting kick an perfect for chilly fall days. Short ribs were fork-tender and oh-so-flavorful. Mussels were tender and juicy and the broth was to die for. If I had to nitpick, the sausage appetizer was probably the least exciting. Pot de creme dessert was a bit too salty for my sweet tooth but given how good the main dishes were, I think they still deserve 5 stars! Service was also great. Love!
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- Natalie W.
- Charlotte, NC
- 4 friends
- 3 reviews
4/25/2015
I wasn't sure what to expect out of the Bite Cafe. However, I will admit I was very pleased. I was worried during the beginning of our experience when they skipped our name on the waiting list. Their host stand seemed unorganized. This worried me because the host stand is the core of a restaurant. Nonetheless, that is truly my only complaint of my experience.
My boyfriend and I shared the falafel plate and two specialty entrees of pork chops with a fluffy polenta cake and blueberry compote and a ramp pesto gnocchi. The gnocchi was outta sight and the pork chop was cooked perfectly. Daren, our server, was friendly, attentive and did everything to make our experience worth 5 stars. I would definitely recommend this to a homie. -
- hsueh y.
- Chicago, IL
- 3 friends
- 44 reviews
7/26/2015
The service blows. I was waiting for 10 minutes for a menu. Then I waited for over an hour and still had no food. A staff told me they lost my order due to kitchen fire something and they are making my food. 15 minutes later I still had no food. The server didn't offer any toast or anything to hold me over. Nothing! I left starving.
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- Cassandra F.
- Chicago, IL
- 3 friends
- 8 reviews
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4/2/2014
1 check-inI ditched my friends who were playing volleyball to eat at Bite Cafe. They were really mad at me, but when I said that it was because I went to get brunch at Bite, they understood.
Pork Hash. BYOB. -
2/4/2015
Listed in Wicker Park, Chicago, Brunch in ChicagoWe came here as part of our Wicker Park brunch tour, as big lovers of brunch (and obviously Wicker Park). Bite was next on our list. It was a little out of the way of the Division and Milwaukee stretches, but we still ventured over there. We were quoted a half-hour wait on a Saturday and were informed we could wait in Empty Bottle next door. We waited in the vestibule area for 30 seconds, discussing if we actually wanted to wait 30 minutes or not, and the hostess came out telling us we weren't allowed to stand there. Fine. We went over to Empty Bottle, which was filled with some kind of art fair and also a bar. We saw people eating at the bar and realized that we would maybe be able to eat there. We decided to look around and wait. It was loud and we noticed the hostess walking around yelling out names, which may have been difficult to hear. Luckily, we heard our name when it was finally called.
We walked through to the restaurant area. The actual dining space is small. Out tattooed waitress wasn't particularly helpful. When we ordered three entrees (one of which was poutine to share), she made a judgmental comment about how it was too much food for two people. We requested the poutine to come out first, like an app, which did happen. It tasted good and portions were big. My meat-lover skillet was also decent, but nothing to write home about. The poutine was probably my favorite.
She gave us the check with NO PEN. She was nowhere to be seen after that, so I ended up having to write on the check with my girlfriend's eyeliner pencil. Ridiculous. Honestly, food was pretty good here and probably deserves four stars, but service was pretty lacking. We tried it, so now we won't have to come back. We will be back to Empty Bottle, though. -
9/8/2014
1 check-inWe really enjoyed the specials here. Steak filet and pork shoulder steak. I guess we were in the mood for some protein haha. Plus, we usually like to go for any specials of the day that the restaurant might be having. It's like they were experimenting with some ingredients and came up with something thoughtful and amazing and wanted their customers to try it. Or it could also be that they are trying to "get rid" of certain ingredients that they have too much of? I don't know. I'm just rambling now.
I love that it's BYOB without any corkage fee! Awesome for those of you who are looking for some good eats to go with your bottle of wine that you got from Trader Joe's for only $5. Because that's exactly what I did. Heehee.
Business info summary
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- Today
- 9:00 am - 12:00 am Open now
-
-
$$
- Price range
- $11-30
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Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See other places they like.
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Hours
| Mon | 9:00 am - 12:00 am | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue | 9:00 am - 12:00 am | |
| Wed | 9:00 am - 12:00 am | |
| Thu | 9:00 am - 12:00 am | Open now |
| Fri | 9:00 am - 1:00 am | |
| Sat | 8:00 am - 1:00 am | |
| Sun | 8:00 am - 12:00 am |
Menu
- Poutine
- 7.00
- Tofu
- 3.00
- Burger
- Price varies
More business info
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- Takes Reservations
- No
- Delivery
- No
- Take-out
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Yes
- Good For
- Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner
- Parking
- Street
- Bike Parking
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Yes
- Good for Kids
- No
- Good for Groups
- Yes
- Attire
- Casual
- Ambience
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Average
- Alcohol
- No
- Outdoor Seating
- No
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Has TV
- No
- Waiter Service
- Yes
- Caters
- No
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